As has been well documented, Joel Embiid has a tricky foot injury from which a full recovery is not guaranteed. For big men in particular, foot, knee and back issues are a serious red flag, which is why the 7’0” Embiid fell to the Philadelphia 76ers at the No. 3 pick in this year’s NBA Draft.

At least one person doesn’t anticipate Embiid’s injury shortening his career, though—his surgeon, Dr. Richard Ferkel. In an exclusive interview with Mike Sielski for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Dr. Ferkel expressed optimism for a full recovery with no lingering effects from a broken navicular bone.